Kitabı oku: «Secrets in the Regency Ballroom»

To Vee Leighton for her insight and encouragement

throughout the writing of this book

Chapter One

‘Gartside! Alight here for Gartside!’

The guard’s voice roused Claire from her doze. Feeling startled and disorientated, she looked about her and realised that the coach had stopped. She had no recollection of the last ten miles of the journey to Yorkshire and had no idea what hour it might be. At a guess it was some time in the midafternoon. Her cramped limbs felt as though they had been travelling for ever, though in reality it was three days. For more reasons than one it would be a relief to escape from the lumbering vehicle. Further reflection was denied her as the door opened.

‘This is where you get down, miss.’

She nodded and, under the curious eyes of the remaining passengers, retrieved her valise and descended onto the street in front of a small and lowly inn.

‘Can you tell me how far it is to Helmshaw?’ she asked. ‘And in which direction it lies?’

The guard jerked his head toward the far end of the street. ‘Five miles. That way.’

‘Thank you.’

After a grunted acknowledgement he closed the door of the coach and climbed back onto the box. Then the driver cracked his whip and the coach moved forwards. Watching it depart, Claire swallowed hard, for with it went every connection with her past life. Involuntarily her hand tightened round the handle of her bag. The latter contained all her worldly possessions, or all she had been able to carry when she left, apart from the last few shillings in her reticule. The rest of her small stock of money had been spent on the coach fare and the necessary board and lodging on her journey. Her last meal had been a frugal breakfast at dawn and she was hungry now, but the inn looked dingy and unprepossessing and she felt loath to enter it. Instead she hefted the valise and set off along the street in the direction the guard had indicated earlier.

It soon became clear that Gartside was not much of a place, being essentially a long street with houses on either side, and a few small shops. As she walked she received curious stares from the passers-by but no one spoke. A few ragged children watched from an open doorway. A little way ahead a small group of men loitered outside a tavern. Uncomfortably aware of being a stranger Claire hurried on, wanting to be gone. She hoped that Helmshaw would prove more congenial, but a five-mile walk lay between her and it. Massing clouds threatened rain. Would it hold off until she reached her destination? And when she got there, what would be her welcome? She hadn’t set eyes on Ellen Greystoke in seven years, and nor had there been any correspondence between them apart from that one letter, written to her aunt’s dictation, not long after Claire had removed there. Seven years. Would her old governess remember her? Would she still be at the same address? What if Miss Greystoke had moved on? Claire shivered, unwilling to contemplate the possibility. She had nowhere else to go, no money and no immediate prospect of earning any. Moreover, there was always the chance that her uncle would discover where she had gone.

For the past three days it had been her constant dread. Each time a faster vehicle had passed the public coach her heart lurched lest it should be he. Every feeling shrank from The scene that must surely follow, for he would not hesitate to compel her return. After that she would be lost. She had no illusions about her ability to resist her uncle’s will: those had been beaten out of her long since. His maxim was: Spare the rod and spoil the child, a policy he had upheld with the utmost rigour. He would have her submission all right, and would use any means to get it.

At the thought of what that submission meant her stomach churned. Within the week she would become Lady Mortimer, married against her will to a man old enough to be her father, a portly, balding baronet with a lascivious gaze that made her flesh crawl. The memory of his proposal was still horribly vivid. She had been left alone with him, an occurrence that had set warning bells ringing immediately. Her aunt and uncle were usually sticklers for propriety. After a few minutes of stilted conversation Sir Charles had seized her hand, declaring his passion in the most ardent terms. Repelled by the words and the feel of his hot, damp palms she had tried to break free, only to find herself tipped backwards onto the sofa cushions. Claire swallowed hard. Almost she could still feel his paunch pressing her down, could smell the oily sweetness of hair pomade and fetid breath on her face as he tried to kiss her. Somehow she had got a hand free and struck him. Taken aback he had slackened his hold, allowing her to struggle free of that noxious embrace and run, knowing she’d rather be dead than married to such a man. How her refusal had been represented to her uncle afterwards she could only guess, but his anger was plain.

‘You stupid, ungrateful girl! Who do you think you are to be refusing such an offer? Do you imagine you will ever get another as good?’

All her protestations had counted for nothing. She could see her uncle’s cold and furious face.

‘You have until tomorrow morning to change your mind or I’ll know the reason why. By the time I’ve finished with you, my girl, you’ll be only too glad to marry Sir Charles, believe me.’

She had believed him, knowing full well it was no idle threat, and so she had run away the same night.

‘Now there’s a fancy bit of muslin.’

‘Aye, I wouldn’t mind ten minutes behind the tavern with her.’

The voices jolted Claire from her thoughts and, as their lewd import dawned, she reddened, recognising the group of loafers she had seen before. From their dress they were of the labouring class, but dirtier and more unkempt than was usual. Uncomfortably aware of their close scrutiny Claire kept walking, determined to ignore them, but as she drew nigh the group one of them stepped in front of her blocking the way. When she tried to go round him he sidestepped too, blocking the path again. He looked to be in his early twenties. Taller than her by several inches and sturdily built, he was dressed like the others in a brown drab coat and breeches. A soiled green neckcloth was carelessly tied about his throat. Lank fair hair straggled beneath a greasy cap and framed a narrow unshaven face with a thin-lipped mouth and cold blue eyes. These were now appraising her, missing no detail of her appearance from her straw bonnet to the dark blue pelisse and sprigged muslin frock. Although she had dressed as plainly as she could to avoid attracting attention, there was no mistaking the fine quality and cut of her garments.

‘Can you spare a coin, miss?’

‘I’m sorry, no.’

‘Just a shilling, miss.’

‘I have none to spare.’

‘I find that hard to believe, a fine young lady like yourself.’

‘Believe what you like.’

She made to step round him again, but again he prevented it.

‘Suppose I take a look for myself.’

Before she could anticipate it he grabbed her reticule. Claire tried to snatch it back, but he held on. His four companions gathered round, grinning. Seeing herself surrounded she fought panic, knowing instinctively it would be a mistake to show fear. He shook the reticule and heard the chink of coins. Her last few shillings!

‘Sounds like money to me,’ he remarked with a wink to the general audience.

‘Give that back.’

He grinned. ‘What if I don’t, eh?’

Claire glared at her tormentor. She had not risked so much and come all this way merely to fall victim to another bully. Resentment welled up, fuelling her anger, and without warning she lashed out, dealing him a ringing crack across the cheek.

‘Give it back, you oaf!’

In sheer surprise he let go of the reticule while his companions drew audible breaths and looked on in delighted anticipation. Claire lifted her chin.

‘Get out of my way!’

She would have pushed past, but he recovered and seized her arm in a painful grip.

‘You’ll pay for that, you little bitch.’

Glaring up at him, she forced herself to meet the cold blue eyes.

‘Unhand me.’

‘High and mighty, aren’t we? But I’ll take you down a peg or two.’

‘Aye, that’s it, Jed,’ said a voice from the group. ‘Show her.’

A chorus of agreement followed and with pounding heart Claire saw them move in closer. Jed smiled, revealing stained and decaying teeth.

‘Since you won’t give a coin I’ll take payment in kind. Perhaps we all will, eh, lads?’

A murmur of agreement followed. Her captor glanced toward the alley that ran alongside the tavern. Claire, following that look, felt her stomach lurch.

‘Let go of me.’

She tried to twist free, but his grip only tightened. In desperation she kicked out. The blow connected and she heard him swear, but it was a temporary victory. Moments later she was dragged into the alley and shoved up against the outer wall of the inn. Then his arm was round her waist and his free hand exploring her breast. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. Claire struggled harder.

‘Aye, go on, fight me. I like it better that way.’

‘Let me go!’

‘Not before I’ve given you what you need, lass.’

‘Save some for us, Jed,’ said a voice from behind him.

He grinned appreciatively. ‘I reckon there’s enough here to go round. You’ll get your turns when I’m done.’

More laughter greeted this. Claire screamed as Jed’s hands fumbled with her skirt.

‘Let her go!’

Hearing that hard, cold command, the group fell silent, turning to look at the newcomer who had approached unnoticed. Claire swallowed hard, her heart pounding even as her gaze drank in every detail of her rescuer’s appearance. An arresting figure, he was a head taller than any present. His dress proclaimed the working man, but there the similarity ended: if anything his upright bearing smacked more of a military background. The brown serge coat had seen better days but it was clean and neat and covered powerful shoulders; waistcoat, breeches and boots adorned a lean, athletic figure that had not an ounce of fat on it. Dark hair was visible from beneath a low-crowned felt hat. However, it was the face that really held attention, with its strong bone structure and slightly aquiline nose, the chiselled, clean-shaven lines accentuated by a narrow scar that ran down the left side from cheek to jaw. The sculpted mouth was set in a hard, uncompromising line, as uncompromising as the expression in the grey eyes.

For a moment or two there was silence, but the hold on Claire’s arm slackened. With pounding heart she glanced up at the newcomer, but he wasn’t looking at her. The hawk-like gaze was fixed on her persecutor. The latter sneered.

‘This is none of your business, Eden.’

‘Then I’ll make it my business, Stone.’ The quiet voice had the same Yorkshire burr as the others, but it also held an inflexion of steel.

‘We were just having a little fun, that’s all.’

‘The lady doesn’t seem to share your idea of amusement.’

‘What’s it to you?’

The reply was a large clenched fist that connected with Stone’s jaw. The force of the blow pitched him backwards and sent him sprawling, stunned, in the mud of the alley. Before he could stir, one of his companions threw a punch at Eden. He blocked it and brought his knee up hard into his attacker’s groin. The man doubled over in agony. As he staggered away a third stepped in. Eden ducked under the swinging fist and landed his opponent a savage upper cut that lifted him off his feet and flung him backwards to lie in the mud with Stone. Seeing the fate of their fellows, the remaining two men hesitated, then backed away. Eden threw them one contemptuous glance and then looked at Claire.

‘Are you hurt, miss?’

‘No. I… I’m all right,’ she replied, hoping her voice wouldn’t shake.

‘Good. Then I’ll set you on your way.’

He looked round at the others as though daring them to challenge the words, but no one did. Instead they avoided his eye and moved aside. Seeing her bag lying nearby, Eden picked it up. As he did so, Stone came to, propping himself groggily on one elbow, his other hand massaging the lump on his jaw. Blood trickled from a split lip.

‘You’ll get yours, Eden, I swear it!’

If the other was in any way perturbed by the threat he gave no sign of it save that the glint in the grey eyes grew a shade harder.

‘I’ll look forward to that, Stone.’

Then, placing a firm but gentle hand under her elbow, he led Claire away from the scene.

For a few moments they walked in silence and she was grateful for the respite because it allowed her time to regain her self-control. She was trembling now with reaction and the knowledge of how narrow her escape had been. Moreover she was ashamed to the depths of her soul to have been seen in such a situation. Respectable young women did not travel unaccompanied and would never place themselves in circumstances where they might attract the attentions of such brutes as those. Her face reddened. What must he think?

She stole a glance at her protector, but the handsome face gave nothing away. Nor did he venture a comment of any kind. Instead they walked on in silence until they were well clear of the tavern, she all the while aware of the warmth of his hand beneath her elbow. It was a gesture that was both comforting and disturbing at once. Yet the nearness of this man was not threatening as those others had been. How much she owed him. She stole another look at his face.

‘Thank you, sir. I am most grateful for what you did back there.’

The grey eyes regarded her steadily a moment.

‘I beg you will not regard it, madam.’

Claire knew a moment’s surprise for the Yorkshire burr had disappeared to be replaced with the pure modulated diction associated with a very different social rank. However, fearing to seem rude, she did not remark on it.

‘Who were those men?’ she asked then.

‘Scum. They needn’t concern you further.’ He paused. ‘May I ask where you’re going?’

‘To Helmshaw.’

‘Helmshaw. That’s a fair walk from here.’

‘Yes, I believe so, but the public coach doesn’t go there.’

‘You came on the coach?’

‘Yes.’

‘Alone?’

Her cheeks reddened. ‘As you see.’

‘You have family in Helmshaw perhaps?’

‘A friend.’

‘But your friend is not expecting you.’

‘No, not exactly.’

‘Not at all, I’d say, or you would have been met at the coach.’

Not knowing what to say, Claire remained silent. A few moments later they reached the end of the street. There he paused, looking down at her.

‘Yonder lies the road to Helmshaw. I’d walk along with you, but I’ve important business requiring my attention here. However, I think you’ll not be troubled again.’

She managed a tremulous smile. ‘I’m sure I shan’t be. You’ve been most kind, sir.’

‘You’re welcome, Miss, er…’

‘Claire Davenport.’

He took the offered hand and bowed. For one brief moment she felt the warmth of his touch through her glove. Then he relinquished his hold.

‘Farewell, Miss Davenport.’

‘Farewell, Mr Eden. And thank you again.’

He handed her the valise and touched his hand to his hat. Then he turned and walked away. Feeling strangely bereft, she watched the tall departing figure with a rueful smile. In all likelihood they would never meet again, though she knew she would never forget him. With a sigh she turned and continued on her way.

As the man Eden had predicted she met with no more trouble on the road, but half an hour later it came on to rain, a thundery summer shower. The open roadway offered no shelter and in a very short time she was soaked through. It was with real relief that she saw the first houses on the edge of the village. An enquiry of a passing carter directed her to a grey stone house set back from the road in a pleasant garden. Claire paused by the gate, feeling her stomach knot in sudden apprehension. What if Miss Greystoke had moved on? It had been seven years after all. What would she do then? Where would she go? Taking a deep breath, she walked up the paved pathway to the front door and rang the bell. A maidservant answered. On seeing Claire’s bedraggled and muddied appearance she eyed her askance.

‘The doctor’s not at home,’ she said.

Shivering a little now, Claire stood her ground.

‘It is Miss Greystoke I seek, not the doctor.’

Before the girl could answer another voice spoke behind her.

‘Who is it, Eliza?’

Claire’s heart beat painfully hard. The woman’s elegant lavender-coloured gown was different, but everything else was familiar from the light brown hair to the blue eyes now regarding her with shock and concern.

‘Claire?’ The woman came closer, wonder writ large in her expression, and then a beaming smile lit her face. ‘Oh, my dear, it really is you!’

‘Miss Greystoke.’

‘What a wonderful surprise. But what am I doing talking here on the doorstep? Come inside, do.’

Only too happy to obey, Claire stepped into the hallway and for a moment the two women faced each other in silence. Then Ellen Greystoke opened her arms and drew her visitor into a warm embrace. Knowing herself safe for the first time in days, Claire began to shake.

‘Good gracious! How cold you are! We must get you out of those wet clothes at once. Then we shall sit down and have some tea and you can tell me everything.’

Claire was escorted to a pleasant upstairs bedroom, provided with hot water and towels, and then left in privacy. Shivering, she removed her bonnet and then stripped off her wet things. How good it was to be free of them at last and to be able to bathe again and tidy her hair. Having done so, she donned a clean gown. It was one of two that she had been able to bring. Apart from those, a russet spencer, a few necessary personal items and her sketchbook, the valise contained nothing of value. Involuntarily Claire’s hand sought the locket she wore around her neck. It was her sole piece of jewellery and it bore the only likeness of her parents that she possessed. She had inherited her mother’s dusky curls and hazel eyes and her face had the same fine bone structure. Her father too had been dark haired with rugged good looks. It was not hard to see why her parents had been attracted to each other or why Henry Davenport should fly in the face of his family’s disapproval and marry a young woman with only a pretty countenance and a hundred pounds a year to recommend her. Goodness was not a marketable quality in their eyes. Yet, contrary to all predictions, the marriage had been a success. Claire had fond memories of her early years, days filled with sunshine and laughter when she’d been truly happy and carefree. How long ago it all seemed and how like a dream.

An outbreak of typhus changed everything: her father had sickened first and then her mother, the fever carrying them off within three days of each other. At a stroke she was an orphan. Miss Greystoke had taken it upon herself to inform her father’s family and in due course Uncle Hector had arrived. Her thirteen-year-old self could see the likeness to her father in the dark hair and grey eyes, but there the similarity ended. The tall, unsmiling man in black was a stranger whose cold expression repelled her. She hadn’t wanted to go with him and had sobbed out her grief in Miss Greystoke’s arms. In the end though there had been no choice and she had been taken to live at her uncle’s house.

From the moment of her arrival she knew Aunt Maud disliked her and resented her presence there. At first she had not understood why, but as time passed and she grew from child to young woman the contrast between her and her much plainer cousins became marked. To be fair her cousins showed no resentment of her good looks, but then they were so timid that they never expressed an opinion on anything. Claire, outgoing and high-spirited, found them dull company. Moreover she found the educational regime in the house stifling.

From the start Miss Greystoke had always encouraged her to think for herself and to read widely and Claire’s naturally enquiring mind devoured the books she was given and easily assimilated what she found there. She loved learning for its own sake and enjoyed gaining new skills, whether it was drawing or playing the pianoforte, speaking in French or discussing current affairs. In her uncle’s house everything was different. Independent thought was discouraged, and only the most improving works considered suitable reading material. They were taught their lessons under the exacting eye of Miss Hardcastle, a hatchet-faced woman with strict views about what constituted a suitable education for young ladies, and an expectation of instant obedience in all things. In this she was fully supported by Aunt Maud and any infraction of discipline was punished. Claire, loathing the constraints imposed on her, had been openly rebellious at first, but she had soon learned the error of her ways. Remembering it now, she felt resentment rise in a wave. She would never return no matter what.

Some time later she joined Ellen in the parlour where she was plied with hot tea and slices of fruit cake. When she had finished she favoured her friend with an explanation of why she had fled her uncle’s house. Ellen listened without interruption, but the blue eyes were bright with anger and indignation. Claire swallowed hard.

‘I’m so sorry to impose on you like this, Miss Greystoke, but I didn’t know where else to turn.’

‘Where else should you turn but to me? And let us dispense with this formality. You must call me Ellen.’

‘You don’t know how I missed you all these years.’

‘And I you. My brightest pupil.’

‘Did you receive my letter?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘I wanted to write again, but my aunt would not permit it.’

‘Then you did not get my other letters?’

Claire stared at her. ‘What other letters?’

‘I wrote several, but there was never any reply, so in the end I stopped sending them.’

‘On my honour I never received them.’

‘No, after what you have told me I imagine you did not.’

Anger and indignation welled anew and Claire bit her lip. To think that all that time her aunt had lied to her, if only by omission.

‘It was the saddest day of my life when I had to leave you. Your parents’ house was such a happy place and they were always so good to me. I felt more like a member of the family than a governess.’

‘I feel as though I have been in prison for the past seven years. And then this. I could not do what they wanted, Ellen.’

‘Of course not! No woman should ever be compelled to marry a man she does not love and esteem. What your uncle did was shameful.’

‘But what if he finds me?’

‘He shall not remove you from this house.’

‘I wish I were not so afraid of him, Ellen.’

‘I am not surprised that you are. The man is a perfect brute.’

‘If my aunt read your letters, she will have seen the address and may guess where I am.’

‘She probably burnt them without reading them. In any case it was a long time ago. It is most unlikely she kept them.’

‘I pray she did not.’ Claire’s hands clenched. ‘If only I might reach my majority and be out of their power for good.’

‘That day cannot be so far away now. How old are you?’

‘Four months short of my twenty-first birthday.’

‘No time at all. It will soon pass and then you will be a free woman.’

‘Somehow I must earn my living and I am not afraid to work, provided it is honest employment. I do not wish to be a burden.’

Ellen smiled and squeezed her hand gently. ‘You could never be a burden to me.’

‘But what will your brother say when he returns?’

‘You leave George to me.’

Doctor Greystoke returned some time later. In his early forties, he was a little over the average height and had a strong athletic build, which made him seem younger than his years. His face was pleasant and open rather than handsome and, as yet, relatively unlined save for the creases round the eyes and mouth. Like his sister he had light brown hair, in his case greying a little at the temples and lending him a distinguished air. Claire thought he had a kindly face. Even so there was no way of knowing how he would respond to having his home invaded by a stranger—and a penniless stranger to boot.

She need not have worried. Having been apprised of the situation, he seated himself on the sofa beside his unexpected guest, regarding her keenly.

‘My sister has told me everything, Miss Davenport. I confess I am deeply shocked to learn of the reason for your coming here, but can in no way blame you for leaving. To force a young woman into marriage must be in every way repugnant to civilised thinking.’ He smiled. ‘You are welcome to remain here as long as you wish.’

‘Thank you. May I also ask that my reason for being here remains a secret?’

‘You may rely on it. Neither my sister nor I will divulge it to a soul.’

Claire’s eyes filled with tears and a lump formed in her throat.

‘Indeed, sir, you are very good.’

To her horror tears spilled over and ran down her face and she dashed them away with a trembling hand. Seeing it his face registered instant concern.

‘Don’t cry,’ he said. ‘You’re safe here.’

Claire drew in a shuddering breath and fumbled for a handkerchief. Before she could find it he produced his own.

‘Here, try this. I prescribe it for the relief of tears.’

It drew a wan smile and he nodded approvingly. ‘That’s it. Now dry your eyes and let us have no more of this. I absolutely forbid you to be sad here.’

Ellen rose and rang the bell to summon the maid.

‘Shall we have some more tea?’

Her brother looked up and grinned. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’